The Packaging Summit hosts fourth successful show

The Packaging Summit Expo & Conference held its fourth event in Rosemont, Illinois, May 13-15 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Over 1,500 packaging suppliers, conference delegates and packaging buyers came together from across the country.   

A  conference – co-produced by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) – was presented by companies including Wal-Mart, Hewlett Packard, Unilever, DuPont, Georgia Pacific, Reckitt Benckiser and General Mills, to name but a few.      

The IoPP Ameristar Awards Reception also took place. Award-winning packages were on display on the Packaging Summit Expo and Conference show floor at the IoPP AmeriStar Pavilion. 

At the Tuesday Keynote Luncheon, Lisa Bodell from futurethink presented to an audience of nearly 300 packaging professionals, outlining ways to allow innovation to thrive in the work place.

Over 116 companies exhibited at the event, each focused on packaging containers, materials and contract packaging, with new packing innovation and sustainable solutions on display.

‘[The Packaging Summit] was full of quality leads and the feedback/comments I heard from everyone was positive,’ said Jessica Swank from Sun Chemical.

Donavon Damme from Puffy Stuff stated, ’We had a great show: we met hundreds of contacts and did so much press that I would have to say it was a great way to introduce a new 100 percent biodegradable packing peanut like Puffy Stuff.’

Live demonstrations on the show floor gave attendees added insight into products and services, allowing them to understand and better appreciate how they could benefit their business.

The conference was integrated into the expo, giving delegates an environment to exchange concepts with suppliers and generate ideas for their current packaging projects and needs. 

‘If you have never attended the Packaging Summit, this is their fourth year,’ said Barry Sanel from Packaging Advisors. ‘I would have to say that the show is well attended by a nice cross section of suppliers and contract packagers, label and container companies, plastic molders and design firms.’